Oklahoma running back DeMarco Murray bounces off FSU's Greg Reid during the first half of their game on
Sept. 11, 2010 in Norman, Okla. FSU lost 41-7. / Democrat files

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Democrat sports editor

Left: FSU's Greg Reid nearly intercepts a pass intended for Virginia Tech's Marcus Davis (7) during the first half of the ACC Championship game in 2010. / Democrat files

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On Greg Reid's Twitter profile, the Florida State cornerback describes himself as a movie buff.

He prefers mostly action flicks and scary movies — the types you might expect would grab the interest of a 21-year-old, football-playing male. But he also enjoys a classic from time to time.

Of those, he says, "The Shawshank Redemption" might be his favorite.

What a fitting title.

As Reid and the Florida State defense prepare for a rematch this Saturday with No. 1 Oklahoma, redemption will be foremost on many of the Seminoles' minds.

One year ago, the Sooners blistered Florida State's defensive backs for 394 passing yards in a 47-17 rout. And while every FSU coach and player has accepted blame for that woeful performance, Reid was the target of perhaps the most ridicule.

The media criticized his lack of discipline. Fans flooded Internet message boards with insults about his ability to cover and tackle.

It was the lowest point of his collegiate career.

"He knew people were down on him," fellow cornerback Xavier Rhodes said. "That hit him hard. But he knew he had to come back hard and let people know that's just one game. Every football player has their bad day or bad game. He just knew he had to come back hard the next game and play hard."

Playing hard has never been the problem for Reid, though.

The former Parade All-American and Georgia Player of the Year is perhaps best known for his contagious enthusiasm and relentless work ethic. FSU coach Jimbo Fisher joked earlier this season that Reid would practice 24 hours a day if he could.

But what Reid learned during his up-and-down sophomore season — make that his down-and-up sophomore season — was the difference between working hard and working smart. After that brutal performance at Norman, Okla., and another rough outing later in the season against North Carolina, the talented playmaker began to appreciate the power of discipline.

He realized that it wasn't just important to be fundamentally sound; it was essential.

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"I think that game really taught me a lot," Reid said of the loss at Oklahoma. "It really brought me up from a boy to a man. That game and the North Carolina game – they just helped me get better. I feel like they helped me out a lot."

Reid, who uses his exceptional quickness and instincts to make up for his lack of size (5-foot-8, 186 pounds), said one key was focusing more on his assignments and not trying to make big plays on every snap. Another was working on his fundamentals and footwork — knowing when to extend his backpedal, when to turn and run, and when to break on the ball.

During a preseason interview, Reid said his biggest goal was to have, "a more mature year."

"I just want to make sure I'm doing the right things and helping my team win," Reid said.

According to FSU defensive coordinator Mark Stoops, Reid started making those strides last season.

"I think we got better as a defense, and Greg got better as the year went on," Stoops said. "And he's carried that over to this year. He's been much more consistent. And that's a big thing we're talking about as a defense — being more consistent. We don't want to have too many peaks and valleys. We want to be good all the time, and I think Greg has certainly bought into that."

If Reid can combine that consistency with his knack for making big plays, the Seminoles could have something really special. The Valdosta, Ga., native offered a glimpse of that in the Chick-fil-A Bowl last December when he earned Defensive MVP honors with a breathtaking performance.

Playing in his home state, Reid recorded five tackles, forced two fumbles, broke up four passes and knocked South Carolina's star running back, Marcus Lattimore, out of the game with a devastating hit.

"The key thing with me last year was just getting better each and every week," Reid said. "And I felt more comfortable toward the end of the season. I feel real comfortable now."

"That's the sign of a good football player," FSU coach Jimbo Fisher said. "Understanding that he needed some work or needed things done — and all football players do — and he got better. It was very pleasing to see."

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Of course, Reid's evolution hasn't been without setbacks.

When he takes the field this Saturday against Oklahoma, the junior will be returning from a one-game suspension. Fisher has not disclosed the reason for the disciplinary action, other than to call it a violation of team rules.

It was a somewhat shocking development for a player who has emerged as a team leader. And Fisher said Monday that he made his star defensive back/return specialist watch the Charleston Southern game from the sidelines to feel what it was like to not be in a game with his teammates.

With the Oklahoma game just seven days away, it had to be excruciating.

But Reid's teammates don't expect him to be down for long.

"Greg has always been a person who doesn't get down or let the media get to him," Rhodes said. "I always expect Greg to come back some kind of way. If he gets beat, Greg's gonna come back harder. I always say, 'If Greg gets beat, I know he's gonna get a big punt return or do something big.'"